How often do you do things for affirmation?
If we honestly asked ourselves this question, we might surprise ourselves how often this happens. A husband will clean the house hoping his wife will notice. A boss or a coworker will come into the office with hoards of coffee and donuts. A parent will buy a new toy for the child only to have them enjoy the box.
None of these acts are inherently evil. In each example though, the motive has more to do with people’s opinion rather than compassion and kindness. There’s a need to be seen.
Jesus had a keen awareness of doing good works for affirmation. He says this in Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
That verse sobers us, especially in church settings. Often, we subtly fall into self-righteous motivation. Our prayers, fasting, serving, Bible reading, and other spiritual disciplines become a performance for others and ultimately God.
Dallas Willard in the Divine Conspiracy shares an antidote to “practicing righteousness” to be seen in response to Matthew 6:1:
The discipline of secrecy will help us break the grip of human opinion over our souls and actions. A discipline is an activity in our power that we do to enable us to do what we cannot do by our direct effort. Jesus is here leading us into the discipline of secrecy. We from time to time practice doing things approved of in our religious circles — giving, praying, fasting, attending services of the church, and so on — but in such a way no one knows. Thus our motivation and reward for doing those things cannot come from human beings. We liberated from slavery to eyes, and then it does not matter whether people know or not. We learn to live constantly in this way.
The discipline of secrecy reminds us of the Gospel. The Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus gives us our ultimate value and acceptance. It breaks us from the unhealthy need to appease people’s opinion or gain their approval. Then we find true rest in knowing that Jesus sees everything. There’s a freedom to act in kindness and practice righteousness with no strings attached.
Today, what would happen if you practiced secrecy? What if you removed the need to have your good works seen by others? You might find freedom you never experienced before.
Photo by Samuel Martins